Returning organist

[Mark Pratt]

This question is for organ teachers. I ama 49 year old returning to organ playing after many years of neglect. I"m playing in a church and trying to rehabilitate my organ into playable condtion. Many years ago in high schoolwhen learning to play I did not study much classical organ technique. My idea then was to be a supper club organist and play show tunes and standards. My playing has suffered because of that decision. Currently I"m playing SATB and pedalon hymns but it's rough going.

I can't afford lessons so I will have to go with self instruction. Can anyone recommnend a series that will help me improve my fingering technique? I would like something that I can work through progressively that is still in print. Any good websites would also be helpful.

I now believe in the study of classical technique. I believe that when you have the proper techniques you will be able to play better no matter what it is you are playing. I have proved this to myself even with the hit and miss method I'm using now.

[soundboarddude]

Mark,

I'm glad to hear you've decided to pick up the organ again! We need more organists!

I have two suggestions for you. If you're willing to spend a few bucks, the "Method of Organ Playing" by Harold Gleason is probably the best method book out there. It has finger technique exercises, pedal technique exercises, and a small collection of short pieces to practice hands/feet together. The older editions aren't much different from the newer ones, so I would suggest getting a used older edition. You'll save a bunch and won't miss out on hardly anything. The 8th edition is on Amazon.com for about $120, but it's worth every penny. I think I have the 6th edition that my former organ teacher used as well.

If you don't want to spend that much, I've always liked Joyce Jones' "King of Instruments." It's about $25 from MorningStar music publishers. It also has a number of technique exercises.

Feel free to send me an email with any other questions!

superoctave [at] gmail [dot] com

[Mark Pratt]

Thanks for your recommendation. I found copies of Method for Organ Playing through Amazon used for as little as $27. I've been using Richard Elsasser's " The Organ as a Matter of Course" off and on since 1979 but I've never worked all the way through it. I went to Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and requested a copy of Method to see if I want to buy my own copy. I'll let you know how it goes.

[soundboarddude]

Mark,

I'm glad you found the Method book cheaper. I think you'll be pleased with it, for sure.

Let us know how you like it, and feel free to ask more questions!

[mjgouldini]

Hello - I would love to know more about the Ellsasser book. I knew Richard and have yet to see a copy of this book.

[Austin766]

Well, you probably won't like them, I know I don't, but you can get books of Czerney and/or Hanon piano exercises, they're a pain in the keister, but they'd probably do you some good. Personally, I hate em, but I know they do me good. If you wanna shell out some serious bucks, get the Gleason (Harold, not Jackie) Method Book, well worth its cost.

[jck56]

Greetings Mark;

As a hobbyist, I have taken lessons, but I do spend a lot of time studying on my own. Two other books that I have found to be very informative are:

The Organist Manual: Roger E. Davis. There is a lot of good study information, and the pieces work you through various stages of difficulty.

Seventy-Nine ChoralesFor The Organ (Opus 28): Marcel Dupre. (Apprx $16 new) Duprewrote this work as a study. All the pieces are based on JS Bach's chorales. Each piece has fingering and pedal notations etc. In theIntroduction, Dupre provides technique information and a suggested order of study based on difficulty.

With a tight budget, I would try the Dupre book first.

Also, if you can find any classical piano studies, that would be a great help.

Good Luck

Amateur Jerry

[Mark Pratt]

Hey Jerry,

I've been using the Flor Peeter's Little Organ Book and the Gleason Methiod book for a while now. My church playing has begun to smooth out in places. I've started using some of the studies as preludes and no one has noticed. I'm in a rural Baptist church so we're not liturgical by any stretch of the imagination. Fortunately the organ has 32 pedals. That Dupre book you mentioned sounds interesting.Thank you for the suggestion. Have you used it yourself? Have you played the Eiglt Little Preludes and Fugues?

[jck56]

Mark,

I also have the Peeter's LOB. I am not a church or parish organist, so I don't use the pieces as a professional. But there are several very nice preludes that would go well in any denomination:

Wie schon leuchet der Morgenstern - Buxtehude

Von Himmel hoch - Zachau

Liebster Jesu, Wir sind hier - JS Bach

Allein Gott in der Hoh sei Ehr - Zachau (By the way, go on You Tube and call up Michel Chapuis "Dans le Style Germanique", what a terrific version of this piece!)

I working on the Preludes and Fugues, not quite there yet. The Dupre pieces are relatively short (they are studies), but theydo play well. The reference to the book is Opus No. 28.

Good Luck

Amateur Jerry

[Mark Pratt]

Well whadaya know, right after I posted yesterday I checked my own library's catalog and found the Dupre book. I also got the Peeters and Gleason books from my own library's shelves. The Gleason book is the eighth edition. Our system allows up to 99 renewals so basically I can have them as long as I like. The fact that these items see little or no circulation is a sad reflection on the state of organs and organ playing in these times.

Right now I'm working on Jesu Joy of Man's Desiriing which is the Trevor simplified version. I'm beginning to make good progress on it. I've had that lying around since 1976 and finally decided to dig into it and learn it.

Thanks for the suggestions on those ofher pieces. I'm getting to the point where I'd like to start building up some kind of repertoire of farily easy pieces and add more complex ones as my skill increases. I'll check my catalog again, perhaps we own some of those too.